Herb of the Month

Guggulu / Commiphora mukul

Parts used: Gum resin, steam, leaf

Historical aspects:

Guggulu, the resin from
Commiphora mukul has been mentioned in the atharva veda and in
early medical texts of a charaka, sushruta samhita and nighantus.
Its original properties have been described as medoghna, mehaghna.

Habitat:

The mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree is a small, thorny plant
distributed throughout India. Guggulu and gum guggulu are the
names given to a yellowish resin produced by the stem of the
plant. This resin has been used historically and is also the
source of modern extracts of Guggulu.

Guggul contains essential oils, myrcene, Z and E guggulsterones,
alpha-camphorene, various other guggulsterones, and makulol. The Z
and E guggulsterones, extracted with ethyl acetate, are the
constituents that appear to be responsible for lowering blood
lipids.

Indication:

Obesity

Rheumatic disorders

Hypercholesterolemia

Promotes comfortable
movement of the joints and muscles

Rejuvenates the
muscular-skeletal system

Maintains healthy
metabolism and removes toxins from the system

Ayurvedic Energetic:

Rasa (taste): bitter, astringent, sweet,
pungent

Guna (constitutions): Balancing for all
doshas, especially pitta

Virya (action): heating

Vipaka (post-digestive effect): neutral

Healing power and curative properties:

The herb has been used in indigenous medicine from time
immemorial.

It widely promoted as a weight loss agent.

Guggulu also helps reduce high cholesterol, because it lowers
harmful low-density lipoproteins while elevating the beneficial
high-density lipoproteins. It helps prevent blood platelet
aggregation and breaks up already formed blood clots. Thus, it
helps prevent heart disease and stroke.

Guggulu lipid stimulates the activity of white blood cells in
the body, contributing to the build-up of the immune system.

Guggulu lipid also helps eliminate and expel dead tissues,
wastes, and toxins from the body.

Guggulu lipid has been known to relieve coughing and lung
congestion, soothe mucous membranes and alleviate other
respiratory problems.

Guggulu lipid also be used to treat arthritis and reduce
inflammation of the joints.

caution:

Use with care during pregnancy

Dosage:

Daily recommendations for the
purified Guggulu extract are typically based on the amount of
guggulsterones in the extract. a common intake of guggulsterones
is 25 mg three times per day. Most extracts contain 2.5–5%
guggulsterones and can be taken daily for 12 to 24 weeks.